Swimmer aims for long-distance trifecta

Seconds past midnight on Aug. 25, Todd Robinson dived into the dark water off Catalina Island. His quest? With the aid of an illuminated kayak and kayaker to guide the way and swimmers pacing him, cross the 21-mile Catalina Channel to Palos Verdes on his first attempt. And, if fortunate, break the men's world record.

Eight hours, five minutes and 44 seconds later, crawling on all fours across jagged rocks interspersed between bolders, Robinson cleared the water line, accomplishing both goals.

Hypothermic and barely able to stand, Robinson did not thrust both arms skyward in celebration. Instead, he was propped up by two of his pacers. Swimming back to his support boat, Robinson was informed he had broken the 16-year-old men's world record by nine minutes, two seconds.

“I was kind of satisfied,” said Robinson, 42, who lives in La Jolla. “I wasn't elated. I think I was too tired.”

Come Sunday, Robinson goes for an ocean-swim trifecta, competing in the La Jolla Rough Water Swim's Gatorman, a relative sprint for Robinson at three miles.

Reaching significant achievements is not uncommon for Robinson. He graduated from Cal where he swam and majored in political economies of industrial societies. He graduated in the top 10 percent of his class from Georgetown Law. He's an assistant U.S. Attorney, specializing in gangs and narcotics.

His passion for swimming was born in Tokyo, where Robinson lived from first through eighth grade and where his father worked as a CPA. By third grade, Robinson attended a different school than his siblings, transferring to an all-boys Catholic school because it had a pool.

For years as an adult after his competitive career was history, Robinson's routine included six pool workouts, totaling 18 miles a week. For his initial Catalina crossing, Robinson moved his training to the ocean in June, his training peaking at about 32 miles weekly.

For long Saturday workouts, which topped off at 15 miles, Robinson had friends show up at different times to pace him. The record-setting Catalina crossing was no different. Seven swimmers took turns diving into the water, pacing Robinson for 45 minutes to an hour.

“I can't stress enough how critical my swim partners were to the success of the crossing,” Robinson said. “They were fantastic.”

About every 15 minutes, Robinson flipped on his back for a three- to four-second feeding, downing carbohydrate fluids relayed to him by the kayaker. He consumed about 300 calories an hour.

Asked what went through his mind throughout the eight-hour adventure, Robinson said, “At the beginning, I know it sounds sort of a poor way to treat my pace swimmers, but I tried to tire out each one.
OK, next. Serve up the next swimmer.
”

“He is very competitive,” Worland said

Competitive ocean swimmers do not wear wet suits. Most intentionally gain weight to insulate themselves from the cold water. At 6 feet 1 and 178 pounds, Robinson is lean by ocean-swimming standards.

And by the end of his Catalina crossing, with the water temperature dipping from the high 60s to 60, Robinson showed the effects.

His younger brother, John, flew out from Birmingham, Ala. When Todd neared the mainland, the support boat dropped John off about 20 yards from the coast. John swam to shore and stood atop the rocks, awaiting his brother's arrival.

But an exhausted Robinson didn't recognize John at first.

Said Robinson to Worland when he spotted his brother, “What the hell is that person doing in the middle of nowhere standing on the rocks?”

A final piece of trivia from Robinson's record swim: He averages 60 strokes per minute in the ocean. At that pace, he swam approximately 29,100 strokes from Catalina to Palos Verdes.